Facts:
1. Shootouts do not take place in playoff hockey games in the National Hockey League (NHL).
2. Shootouts are used to determine a winner in regular-season games that end in a tie after overtime.
3. In playoff hockey, if the game is tied after regulation, a sudden-death overtime period is played.
4. Each team continues to play full-strength during the overtime period until a goal is scored, determining the winner.
5. If the game remains tied after the first overtime period, additional overtime periods are played until a goal is scored to determine the winner.
FAQs:
1. Why are shootouts not used in playoff hockey?
– Shootouts are not used in playoff hockey because the NHL wants to maintain the integrity and excitement of the game by allowing the teams to play until a goal is scored, rather than deciding the outcome through a shootout.
2. How long are the overtime periods in playoff hockey?
– Playoff hockey uses 20-minute sudden-death overtime periods. The teams play at full-strength until a goal is scored to determine the winner.
3. Are there any rule changes in overtime during playoff hockey?
– The rules in overtime during playoff hockey are generally the same as in regulation, with the exception that teams switch ends of the ice at the start of each overtime period.
4. Can teams make line changes during overtime in playoff hockey?
– Yes, teams can make line changes during overtime in playoff hockey, just as they can during regulation time.
5. How many overtime periods can there be in playoff hockey?
– There is no limit to the number of overtime periods in playoff hockey. The game continues with 20-minute periods until a goal is scored, determining the winner.
6. Has there ever been an exceptionally long overtime game in playoff hockey?
– Yes, there have been several exceptionally long overtime games in playoff hockey history. One notable example is the “Easter Epic” game between the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals in 1987, which lasted for 68 minutes and 47 seconds of overtime, the longest in NHL history.
7. How often do games go into overtime during the playoffs?
– The frequency of games going into overtime during the playoffs can vary from year to year. On average, around 25-30% of playoff games go into overtime.
BOTTOM LINE: Shootouts are not used in playoff hockey games in the NHL. Instead, teams play sudden-death overtime periods until a goal is scored to determine the winner. There are no shootouts or time limits in playoff hockey, allowing for the excitement of extended overtime periods.